Elections

08.16.11

Dems Survive Wisconsin Recall

Rick Wood, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / MCT / Landov

Wisconsin Democratic state Sens. Bob Wirch and Jim Holperin survived the last two recall elections Tuesday night. Unofficial results showed Wirch captured 56 percent of the vote against Republican challenger Jonathan Steitz, who received 44 percent of the vote. Holperin won 54 percent, compared to 46 percent for Kim Simac. Even with Wirch and Holperin’s wins, Republicans still have a 17–16 majority in the state Senate. Democrats needed to hold on to all of their seats in the recall election and gain three in last week’s contests, but they were able to wrest only two seats from Republicans.